bushido_man96

You're kind of dating yourself here, aren't you?

That's some good information there, NightOwl. Thanks for a little bit of clarification on the subject.

Very old school. Nice I like it. When my dad first started training, back in the late '70s and early '80s, that was his belt system as well.

Cool. I think I will be rereading shortly. I just thought about it....is it Illyrio Mopatis he is walking with?

Ah, I see now. It's like when my Chiefs lose!

Wow. Now I am scared of Coke!!! That is something else. It really makes you think about what you put into your body.

That's great, Kez. Glad you are reunited.

What I meant is if it is necessary to differentiate east from west. Both weapons existed in both cultures.

If a woman came at me with fists flying, I would most likely do some defensive maneuvers/blocking, and then just try to get a hold of her and restrain her until some help showed up. If she had a weapon, then I am not sure. The only problem is that if something like this happens in a public venue, only so many people will see the altercation begin. Which means by the time everyone sees what is going on, they are going to assume that a guy has attacked a woman, and she is fighting him off, therefore making you the target of a bunch of hacked off men that now think of you as someone who attacks women. Lose/lose, just about any way you look at it.

Glad to hear that all is well!

Thanks, Kerry. Today is even better. By tomorrow, I should be able to check the blind spot when I drive!

First off, welcome to the Forums! As for your tournaments, I don't know of any that accrue points. Your Olympic style tournaments will just get you qualified if you win a state championship, or place second, I think. The ATA circuit runs on a point system, but you have to be an ATA member to compete with them. As for Open Tournies, I don't have much experience with them, so I can't offer much help there.

Hey, that's ok! I have a DVD of Cannonball Run, and I still love that movie. She is one of the best parts!

Just don't start bowing to him before you go to the bathroom!

I spar with a little bit of bouncing. I stay on my toes, and I find that it makes me more mobile and ready to counter attack if need be. I don't bounce when I do forms, though. I find that staying on my toes helps to facilitate my footwork.

Wow, now I think I've seen it all!!

I think that you would have to take a look at it, to be sure. Of course, who of us has experience with "real" ninjitsu. Anymore, it has such a bad rap (a la Ashida Kim and others) that I view the terminology "Legitimate Ninjitsu" as an oxymoron.

Hey, cool!! I'll be checking it out!

Yeah, I know. I have been trying to figure out from the first book, when Arya was chasing cats, and got led into the basement of Baratheon's castle, and saw the two guys walking and talking. One was Varys, but I still can't pick out who the other is.

Both of these weapons existed in both cultures. Is it really necessary to differeniate them?

I had trouble placing that guy in the Prologue....I am not sure who he was. Now, you have whetted my appetite. I may have to start reading them again.

This has been my experience as well. Sometimes, it is just not as easy as "using the thumb as the weak link." That stated, I am a big fan of distraction strikes prior to releasing.

I always thought what it was referred to was kind of a regional thing. I could be wrong.

What I don't like is the $500 price tag!

Oh, I'd have to look... Oh, yeah, it was the kid who was being paid at the beginning by the guy who wanted him to steal the key. Not sure if he was revealed; it has been so long. That's right, isn't it? I think that there is something not right with the kid, cause I got the impression that he was going to end up dead. Can't remeber his name, though.